Mobile apps have greatly eased so many different aspects of life, including astronomy.

Really want to get a task done? Well, our guess is, there’s an app for that.

In contemporary times, mobile apps have become quite common. The fast adoption of the internet and changes in technology have created the perfect concoction for mobile apps to become an integral part of everyday life.

Given the sheer number of mobile apps in the market, there are so many things you can achieve with them. Their application cuts across the board, whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, have fun, or simply pass time.

If you’re intrigued about the happenings of the heavens, then, you’ll be pleased to know that some of the top rated apps are actually about astronomy.

Knowing what lies in the great beyond has often been a subject of great intrigue all through human history. Thanks to the advancement of tech, you can skip the rigmarole of discussing events around a campfire (albeit that can also be loads of fun), and dive right into the good stuff right at the comfort of your palm.

Impressively, you can keep tabs on the happening of rare astronomical events like the Super Blood Wolf Moon, eclipses, meteor showers, and other interesting events in our planet.

Having conducted due diligence, here’s our compilation of the best skywatching apps in the market. We’re sure you’ll find a couple of gems!

Space App #1: SkyView

Available on both Android and iOS, this skywatching app is everything you could ever hope for. It provides comprehensive intel on all the good stuff whenever you’re looking for some stargazing adventure.

By making use of your phone’s screen and sensors, you can get an augmented reality take on what’s happening way up in the sky. You can quickly convert your mobile device into an AR viewfinder and learn about the various star constellations, planets and cool factoids about our universe.

SkyView impresses as a robust skywatching app since you can track an object’s movement in the night sky in real time. At the same time, you can get plenty of information about what the sky appeared Iike in the past, plus how it may look in the future. Definite thumbs up.

Space App #2: Night Sky

This iOS app comes highly recommended by many astronomers. Apple seems to have upped the ante when it comes to providing AR apps for revelers of the night sky to enjoy.

On the app, you can get a great view of the numerous stars, planets, and constellation without having to leave the comforts of your seat. Excitingly, the skywatching app is also available on the Apple Watch. This means that a simple raising of your arm into the sky is sufficient for you to identify celestial objects.

The night sky can be quite wondrous

With all the updates being made to their store, Apple’s ARKit now has an inspiring virtual model of our solar system which enables users to play around.

Space App #3: SkySafari

For a minute now, SkySafari has been an excellent resource for astronomy fanatics. The skywatching app features a large database and excellent support thanks to the Wi-Fi linked telescopes.

The updated version of the iOS app features a freemium approach. This new take on things has been welcomed by many who are looking to gain insights on cosmic objects and dish out astronomy gifts.

The app is intuitive and features animated visualization about the various mythologies of space, some historical events, and different science concepts. Once you decide to become a pro subscriber, you can gain access to extras like narrated tours from the in-app purchases section.

Space App #4: NASA

Not many skywatching apps are fit to hold a candle to NASA’s take on the wonders of the heavens. Through their official app, users can keep tabs on the latest developments in the space scene and some interesting portraits from their exploration missions.

On the app, you can also view videos, stream NASA TV, track the ISS, and obtain a schedule of planned operations. The app support is remarkable in that users can save pictures and videos in their gallery for offline use.

Space App #5: SkEye

This skywatching app has a planetarium feel-like about it. You can use it as a tool for checking out the night sky without straining too much.

While it appears to be a simple app on the outside, there’s actually plenty of detailed info on the solar system. What it lacks in sleekness, it definitely makes up for it in power.

From the app, you gain access to azimuth coordinates, altitude, object magnitude, size, and declination. Remarkably, it’s just one of those apps that has support for both Messier and NGC deep sky objects.

Staring into the night sky can be very exciting

The pro version of the app also comes with additional IC and NGC catalogs, plus super impressive HD renders of the stars.

Since it focuses more on the appeal, SkEye is viewed by many as an excellent tool for astronomy aficionados to kick back and take in the greatness of the universe.

Space App #6: SkyWiki

Featuring one of the most impressive simulators among skywatching apps, SkyWiki stuns right from the word go.

From the Periscope page, you can check out various astronomical events and celestial objects. If you’re enthused about the events, in particular, you can gain access to both historical and future events.

That said, some of the details may be a tad bit technical with the jargon used as a means of providing in-depth coverage. This means that it’s an ideal skywatching app for space nerds.

Conclusion

There are numerous space apps with plenty of cool features in the market today. Some of them offer customizable ringtones, great themes, and fantastic interfaces. As such, these NASA space apps can make perfect physics gifts.